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TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE
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OBITUARY
Michael (Mick) Haddock
26/10/85 - 24/12/04
by Alan Muir
 The
Queanbeyan Tigers Australian Football Club is mourning the tragic death
of talented young footballer Michael (Mick) Haddock as a result of a motor
vehicle accident on the Burra Road, near Queanbeyan, on December 24, aged
19 years.
Queanbeyan's spacious St Raphael's Catholic Church was packed
to capacity on January 4 for the service to farewell one of the most popular
personalities in the Tigers Club. Seniors, reserves, and under 18 players
supported by senior and junior officials, staff, supporters and members
joined the Haddock family, relatives, friends and former schoolmates in
a moving tribute to the Tigers "loveable larrikin" and outstanding
football prospect.
The extraordinary attendance of mourners at the service
included Mick's grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, many of whom
had travelled long distances from Western Australia, South Australia and
Queensland to pay their last respects to a much loved young man never
to be forgotten.
Mick Haddock, younger son of Dave and Jane Haddock, well
known and respected members of the Tiger family, was born in Penang, Malaysia
on October 26 1985 while his parents were on a posting with the armed
forces in the RAAF.
After returning to Australia the Haddock family lived at
the RAAF base in Richmond, NSW, for three years followed by a posting
to Modbury, in Adelaide, for a period of six years and then transferred
to Perth, WA, for two years prior to moving to Queanbeyan in 1997.
Mick and his elder brother Chris soon became enthusiastic
members of the Tigers junior organisation.
It was apparent from an early age that the cheeky, young
blond-headed Mick Haddock had exceptional qualities and skills and would
be destined for a successful senior career with his beloved Tigers.
He won several club awards in his junior days including
a number of runner-up best and fairest trophies.
Mick Haddock was awarded three successive scholarships from
the Tigers senior club and made no secret of the fact that he was extremely
proud to be recognised for these prestigious honours.
Michael was in the first group of young players to be accepted
into the ACT Academy of Sport – AFL Component – and captained
the ACT Under 15 Schoolboys team. He was also appointed vice-captain of
the NSW/ACT Rams under 18 team in 2003. He made his debut in first grade
level aged 16 and was a star in the Tigers undefeated Uner 18 premiership
team of 2002.
Mick also took out the Tigers Rising Star award in 2002
and in 2003 annexed the Tigers Past Players award.
Despite being dogged by injury he played a number of first
grade matches in 2004 and was a member of the Tigers reserves grand final
teams in 2003 and 2004.
During his short senior career Mick appeared in 12 first
grade games and took the field on 19 occasions for the Tigers reserves
side.
Mick's mother, Jane, is a sports medicine trainer on the
Tigers match day staff and father Dave is in attendance at all matches
played by the Tigers.
The parents, along with Mick and Chris, were the complete
family unit within the famous and highly successful Queanbeyan Tigers
Club.
Legendary Tigers Football Manager Ron (Chook) Fowlie, despite
being under enormous emotional stress, delivered a magnificent eulogy
to honour and acknowledge the talents and qualities of Mick Haddock, on
and off the field.\
"He is a huge loss from the Tigers extended family,"
Fowlie said during the eulogy. "Mick would have been an integral
player in our first grade team in 2005.
"In fact, he, along with brother Chris, were touted
as being the next Gilbert brothers of the club with both Chris and Michael
having the Gilbert attributes such as dedication, strength, determination
and loyalty.
"I feel Chris will take Michael's legacy into our club
in the future." Continuing, Fowlie stated "There are so many
aspects that I will personally miss following the passing of my greatly
admired young friend including his regular visits to my office, general
assistance around the club, attendance at Auskick clinics and school football
clinics, generosity, tremendous friendship, loyalty and infectious laugh.
"His close-knit friends would miss Mick's great character
and friendship, having a good time with the "loveable rogue",
his generosity and remember all the tremendous times they enjoyed."
An indication of the widespread popularity enjoyed by Michael
Haddock was the strong attendance of former school friends from St Edmunds
and Daramalan Colleges at the farewell funeral service.
Apart from Mick's terrific football talent he was also a
skilled junior cricketer posting several scores of 50 runs. In the junior
grades players have to retire upon reaching a total of 50 runs.
He was also a magnificent golfer and had represented the
Queanbeyan Golf Club in junior pennant matches.
In the employment department Mick had recently secured an
apprenticeship in carpentry with CITEA. He was very excited about obtaining
this opportunity and was due to commence work later this month.
Losing such a quality person as Mick Haddock at the tender
age of 19 years is a devastating blow to his parents Dave and Jane, brother
Chris, extended families, the Tigers Football club and the community in
general.
The youngster had a wonderful presence about him that endeared
him to everyone who had the good fortune to make his acquaintance.
Following the service at St Raphael's Church, Mick Haddock
was laid to rest at the lawn section of the Queanbeyan Cemetery.
Vale Mick Haddock
Alan Muir
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